A COMMUNITY has backed plans to restore Rivington's famous terraced gardens.

Around 300 residents attended a public meeting at Rivington Barn to show their support for a major restoration project.

Chorley Borough Council is working in partnership with United Utilities, which owns the land, to revamp the gardens and listed buildings, which have been in decline since the Second World War.

Graham Sandham, project leader, said that people talked about possibly forming a 'Friends' group to make the community more involved in the future management of the restored garden.

"It was clear from comments at the meeting and from many letters I have received, that the gardens are loved by the local community. The overwhelming view was that they need to be restored but more importantly that they need to be protected in the future. The whole community wants to be involved."

The meeting included a presentation by historian Jack Smith, who invited the audience to travel back in time to the roaring 1920s.

Old photographs showed William Hesketh Lever, flamboyant soap tycoon and owner of the gardens, entertaining a select gathering of guests.

Mr Sandham said: "Original photographs from the time depict Lord Leverhulme's country retreat in the terraced gardens, created on moorland above Rivington by the famous Edwardian designer Thomas Mawson.

"The gardens provided the setting for Lever's bungalow, where he was renowned for entertaining in spectacular style."

The massive stone bungalow, which featured a huge sprung floor ballroom, was built on the flanks of Rivington Pike but was burned down in 1913 by a Preston suffragette, which was ironic, because Lever supported their cause.

The bungalow was later rebuilt, taken over by brewer Thomas Magee, after 1925, but demolished in 1948. What remains today is the lofty tower known locally as the Pigeon Tower, ornate stone bridges, some of the formal aspect of the gardens and plants and ornamental lakes.

Mawson's original plans and lay-out for the gardens date back to the 1920s but have been lost.

Part of the project will involve horticultural experts turning plant detectives to find out what survives from the original gardens and provide ideas for restoration.

"Of particular interest will be the rhododendrons. Many were planted in the Japanese garden, which was a fashion of the time.

"This is where the local name of the Chinese Gardens comes from. The restoration plan will aim to bring back the variety of species whilst retaining the sense of mystery that has developed in the overgrown garden," Mr Sandham added.

In the garden's heyday Lord Leverhulme had 40 gardeners working for him. The grounds will not be restored to their exact former glory, but many overgrown areas will be improved.

The project is at an early stage and Chorley Borough Council and United Utilities are asking people how they would like to see the gardens improved.

After this consultation stage a bid will be made this year to the heritage lottery fund to help pay for the improvements. work could start in two years , with the initial project lasting five years. This would be followed by a permanent programme of maintenence, hopefully with the help of volunteer groups.

United Utilities is responsible for the stewardship of the land and managing the area as part of the reservoir protection work and providing natural barriers or filters such as heather, between the land and the water.

Simon Jennings, United Utilities central catchment team manager, said: "This area is a very popular place for people to visit, so it is important they have a say in what improvements we carry out.

For further information contact the Rivington Terraced Gardens Project on 01257 515343 or email graham.sandham@chorley.gov.uk.